Office of the Historian

330/9–1850: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State

secret   priority
New York, September 18, 1950—3:47 p. m.

569. From Gross. At noon today Quevedo advised me he had just received instructions from his government to vote in favor of inviting Peiping representative in consideration Formosan complaint. However, [Page 509] Quevedo added the important fact that he was instructed not to cast his vote today because of the point of view I had expressed to him concerning the unfortunate timing implicit in bringing Chinese Communists to SC on eve of GA opening.

Quevedo agreed that if we managed to avoid coming to a vote on question today,1 he would talk again with me later in week and discuss the matter in light of GA developments re Chinese representation question. He added to what he had told me before about the difficulty of the position of his government that it did not possess Parliamentary majority at present time and was under very heavy fire from left wing groups who were particularly critical of Quevedo’s abstention in vote on inviting Chinese Communists in connection with SC consideration Yalu River bombing complaint. Quevedo added he himself was under very heavy personal attack. At the same time Quevedo stressed desire his government to take full note and account of effect upon US position of inviting Peiping representatives to SC meetings for any purpose at present time.

Later in week it will probably be helpful if Department sent another message to Quito, and we will advise when we think it is timely to do so. [Gross.]

Austin
  1. When the Security Council met on September 18, it decided, over the objection of the Soviet Delegate who wished to take up the question of the complaint of aggression against Taiwan, to consider the question of aggression against the Republic of Korea. Consequently, no vote was taken on the matter discussed in the above telegram during the meeting on September 18. The Council then adjourned and did not convene again until September 26. For the record of the meeting of September 18, see U.N. document S/PV.502.↩